Key Takeaways
- 1 million children have participated in the RunJumpThrow program since its 2015 launch
- Over 500 Indianapolis students attended the milestone celebration event with Olympic and World Championship athletes
- The free, non-competitive program teaches track and field fundamentals to children ages 7-12 nationwide
- Partnership evolved from Hershey’s Track & Field Games, which began in the 1970s
- Fourth grader Mariah Buchanan was recognized as the millionth participant during a special event in Indianapolis
Program Reaches Seven-Figure Participation Milestone
USA Track & Field and The Hershey Company celebrated the 1 millionth participant in their RunJumpThrow youth initiative at an event in Indianapolis this week. More than 500 children from six Indianapolis Public Schools attended the special edition program at Fall Creek Pavilion on the Indiana State Fairgrounds, where they completed eight stations covering various track and field disciplines.
Fourth grader Mariah Buchanan from Eliza Blaker School 55 was recognized as the millionth participant after winning a 60-meter dash against 19 other students. She was greeted at the finish line by World Championship gold medalists Brandon Carnes, Bailey Lear, and Jacious Sears, along with 2024 Olympian Jeremiah Davis. Buchanan received a five-pound Hershey’s chocolate bar, which she said she would share with her classmates.
Olympic Athletes Guide Students Through Track and Field Stations
The Indianapolis event brought together professional athletes and USATF staff to guide students through hands-on learning experiences. The program introduces children to running, jumping, and throwing through free, non-competitive stations designed to make physical activity accessible regardless of background or ability.
“Over the course of the last decade, USATF and Hershey have traveled the country and world to bring track and field, the most popular Olympic sport, to schools and youth programs,” said Max Siegel, CEO of USA Track & Field. “This milestone emphasizes our commitment to educating children about the importance of physical activity as well as inspiring the next generation of athletes.”
Five-Decade Partnership Evolution and Scale
Hershey’s involvement in youth track and field dates back to the 1970s through the Hershey’s Track & Field Games, one of the largest youth sports initiatives of that era. The partnership with USATF began in 2015, when those games evolved into RunJumpThrow, expanding the reach of youth physical activity programming.
The program operates in schools, afterschool programs, and community centers nationwide, targeting children ages 7-12. RunJumpThrow has earned national recognition including a Shorty Award for Best in Sports.
“Hershey has been a proud partner of USATF as they inspire kids to stay active by running alongside champions and Olympians in the sport,” said Katrina Briddell, Head of Philanthropy and Social Impact at The Hershey Company. “As part of our commitment to supporting children and communities across the country, RunJumpThrow has taken place in schools, afterschool programs, and community centers nationwide.”
Expanding Access Through Corporate Partnership Model
The USATF and Hershey partnership continues to focus on community and youth initiatives ahead of the LA28 Olympics. Both organizations promote youth physical activity through local parks and recreation programs, school activities, afterschool programs, and USATF clubs and associations. The free, non-competitive format removes cost and performance barriers that often limit youth sports participation.
The program reflects Hershey’s corporate social responsibility mission to support children’s well-being and strengthen communities, while advancing USATF’s goals to grow participation in track and field at the grassroots level.
via: USATF
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